NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin on Saturday launched the first meeting of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) to oppose the Centre’s proposed delimitation exercise, calling it a “historic day” in India’s federal structure.
Stalin in a post on X said, “Today (Saturday) will be etched in history as the day when states that have contributed to our nation’s development came together to safeguard its federal structure by ensuring #FairDelimitation.” He also welcomed chief ministers and political leaders from various states, including Kerala, Telangana, Punjab, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, to the gathering in Chennai.
Stalin said, “Delimitation of constituencies should not happen as per current population. We all should be firm in opposing it…With the decrease in the people’s representatives in Parliament, our strength to express our views will decrease.”
“If representation decreases, it will lead to a fight to get funds for states. Laws will be made even without our willingness. Decisions will be taken which will affect our people. Students will lose important opportunities. Farmers will face setbacks without support. Our culture and growth will face danger. Social justice will be affected. If delimitation of constituencies happens or representation is decreased, we will be citizens who will be losing political power in our own country, ” he added.
Stalin claimed that Tamil Nadu’s initiative against “unfair delimitation” had grown into a “national movement” and emphasised that the JAC’s deliberations would shape the future course of action. “This is more than a meeting. It is the beginning of a movement that will shape the future of our country,” he said.
Explaining the concerns over the delimitation exercise, Stalin stated that if it proceeds in 2026 based on the latest population figures, states like Tamil Nadu could lose parliamentary representation. “It is not about the number of MPs, but that of a state’s rights, which will get affected,” he said.
The Tamil Nadu CM alleged that the proposed exercise was a deliberate attempt to undermine states that have successfully controlled population growth while significantly contributing to national development. “The meeting is being organised as the delimitation exercise will strike at the very foundation of federalism in India. It will erode the essence of democracy itself. Our voices in Parliament will be silenced and our rights will be compromised,” he warned.
Several leaders, including Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, arrived in Chennai on Friday, while other political representatives were also in attendance. The JAC is expected to outline its next steps after the meeting.